LEGACY MODELS

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In 1956 Ervin Piquerez SA designed the "Super Compressor" watch case that, with its unique sealing method, set it apart from other dive watches. It's also said that Aquastar circa 1960 introduced watches with rotatable chapter rings to mark elapsed time. Twin-crown dive watches with rotatable chapter rings were the rage in the 1960s.

The Chrononaut collection seeks to revive the design of twin-crown watches while using modern materials and manufacturing techniques. Even as we maintain the signature styling cues of Gruppo Gamma, watch aficionados would immediately recognise the subtle tribute we pay to the classic watches of times past.

Mk I

​The 1950s was one of the most exciting periods in dive watch history - in 1953 Blancpain introduced the Fifty Fathoms which was issued to the US and French naval divers, Zodiac introduced the Sea Wolf, and in 1954 Rolex introduced the Submariner. Ironically, it was also in the 1950s that Panerai stopped producing dive watches for the Italian frogmen.

Rolled out in 2016, the Divemaster draws inspiration from these legendary watches in much the same way that different watch designs in times past have influenced one another. ​​

Retrospective but contemporary, the Vanguard is a re-imagination of what the Rolex Ref. 6152 could have been if it had continued to evolve. Compared to the Genesis and Ascent that preceded it, the Vanguard sports a more muscular profile, with strong military and maritime undertones.

​Commercially available only from Mk III onwards and between 2014 and 2016, the Vanguard is offered in stainless steel, titanium and bronze, each with multiple dial configurations, and later releases had their Mk III status embossed on the crowns. ​

The Bronze Vanguard, our first model using bronze cases, was released in 2015. It was also Gruppo Gamma's first model to be equipped with a unidirectional 120-click rotating bezel to mark elapsed time, and the first and only to be ​offered with the Roman dial, a tribute to the Italian origins of the Vanguard's source of inspiration. Bronze acquires a natural patina over time, adding an interesting dimension to watch ownership. The 'Bronzo' became an instant favorite amongst collectors and further cemented Gruppo Gamma's reputation for tool watches.

Released in 2017, the Mk IV Vanguard had markedly improved build quality and darkness visibility. The first Mk IV models, which had 42mm cases, featured the SuperSandwich™ dial that's filled to the brim with Swiss Superluminova, to achieve the best darkness visibility ever on a Gruppo Gamma timepiece. Also for the first time ever, the rotor - visible through the sapphire display caseback - is signed, and the crown guard is now constructed as a separate piece and bolted onto the case. Aficionados may also appreciate the newly-designed mechanism used for the unidirectional 120-click bezel.

The Ascent is a spinoff of the Genesis, that was based on the Rolex Reference 6152 worn by Italian frogmen in the 1950s. The idea was to come up with an improved tool watch - one that's slimmer and therefore more versatile, and that's made of a material that would age well with minimal maintenance. Brass was chosen for the Ascent.

The Mk I Ascent, produced between 2013 and 2014, had Seagull manual winding movements, mineral crystals and came in two dial configurations; Arabic and California. ​The California dial comprises Roman and Arabic numerals and got its name supposedly from a California-based company that refurbished Rolex Bubblebacks with these dials in the past, when those were the rage.

​​The Mk II was produced in 2014 and 2015, and had improved durability and reliability over the Mk I which made them even better tool watches. While external dimensions and profile were unchanged, we introduced sapphire crystal and Japanese self-winding movements. Later releases had brass-sleeved crowns, whereas the earlier ones had ion-plated stainless steel crowns. There were two dial configurations, California and 'Supernova' - which was characterised by luminescent dot minute markers, used in an elusive prototype in the 50s that we have revived and modernised. ​

Born of our desire to recreate the legendary tool watches issued to Italian frogmen in the 1950s. ​While case and dial design was based on the Rolex Reference 6152, case diameter was reduced to 44mm from the original 47mm, and case shape was revised for better fit. ​

The Mk I Genesis was produced in 2013 and 2014. It used Seagull movements and mineral crystals, and the earliest releases didn't have serial numbers engraved on the caseback. Manual winding models were offered with Arabic and California dials, and self-winding models with the historically correct dial configuration comprising Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 and small seconds. We were the first to offer this dial configuration with a 44mm case and self-winding movement.

Produced between 2014 and 2015, the Mk II had improved durability and reliability. External dimensions and profile were unchanged but we introduced sapphire crystal and Japanese self-winding movements. Except for the Owners Club Limited Edition that used Seagull movements and had small seconds, Mk II models are offered with hour and minute functions only. Double dome sapphire was introduced in the later models - it's more expensive than single domed sapphire but has less optical distortion, is more shatter-resistant and helps achieve a more cohesive design. ​ ​​​The Mk III, with a redesigned case, was rolled out in 2016. One model used Swiss movements, a first for Gruppo Gamma, whereas the other featured the 'Supernova' dial that we've successfully revived and modernised. They signified the closing of Gruppo Gamma's first chapter and the opening of the next.